Hello,
I’ve had this Christmas Cactus for 5 years. It’s older than that but I don’t know how much.
It was doing well for a while but it was never amazing like some are. It blooms every year around Thanksgiving (maybe it’s a Thanksgiving cactus?)
Lately it has been so dry and wilted looking. I water it infrequently because that what I thought I was supposed to do with succulents. I move it around the apartment to different levels of light. I know you guys will give me some good advice and I appreciate it!
Thanks!!
by Forsaken-Subject8362
10 Comments
That does look like a Thanksgiving cactus. I have one that belonged to my grandmother. I have taken many cuttings and started a few other plants, too. They generally do not like to be moved. I have mine planted in very well-draining soil and placed in a bright window that doesnt get direct sunligjt until the late afternoon. I give it a good soak in the sink every few weeks when it starts to droop, and then let it all the water drain out before putting it back. But this only works if it’s soil will drain completely. Mine is also happy being a little root bound. Do you feed it? I also add a few drops of liquid cactus fertilizer to a bowl of water once a month and let it soak for about a half an hour. Hope that helps!
It looks dehydrated to me. Mine prefers to receive 1/2 cup warm water on a weekly basis. It doesn’t like to sit in water. And it likes fertilizer prior to blooming season.
They need to be kept moist because they’re rainforest cacti. But soil needs to be well-draining.
Needs water. Also, the reddish/purple coloring usually indicates too much sun. Some seem to be more sensitive to light than others. I make sure all mine have a moisture retentive but we’ll draining mix. Basically regular potting mix with some additional perlite. With that mix, bottom watering works well. I let soak until saturated then drain fully. Repeat when the soil is mostly but not fully dry.
Check the soil. It might be time to refresh the soil and maybe even die to size up a pot. Succulents can with stand dry periods but prefer to be moist. You need water a little more often. I would also suggest getting it closer to a window. My Xmas cactus sits in front of an east facing window and gets direct morning sun, then indirect sun the rest of the day.
I follow Tanner the Planter and he has great care guides. https://youtu.be/M6hovKwzzcQ?si=pBrQaTJd9zvjJPP-
Thank you everyone for your quick responses and wonderful advice! It has never been repotted it so yes, it probably needs fresh soil and a new pot. I recently fertilized it but with an all purpose fertilizer. I’ll fix it up, keep it moist and out of direct sunlight.
It’s a tropical cactus. Needs more water than other cacti. It’s stem fragments (what people call leaves) easily show sign of thirst, so as soon as you start seeing the mid vein and wrinkles, water it. When properly watered its stem fragments will be glossy firm and well moisturized looking.
Dehydrated. Have you ever repotted it? If no, 5 years is a long time in the same soil and it’s probably hydrophobic.
These are epiphytes, so in addition to the usual peat-free compost and grit, they do enjoy additions like orchid bark in their soil mix. Epiphytes also like to be watered more often than some other succulents.
Get it in a free draining soil mix and then when you water it DROWN it like it’s a tropical storm.
Light wise they live below the canopy in nature so “bright indirect” or dappled light is usually best.
Place it in a bowl of water for an hour. Let it soak it in. That has saved some of my plants in the past 🌿